Description
Book SynopsisA shake-up in the NYPD homicide squad following a high-profile murder is bad for business for private investigator Nero Wolfe. When wealthy and popular crusader and reformer Lester Pierce is gunned down in front of his Park Avenue residence, the public outcry forces the NYPD to restructure its homicide department. As the deceased was highly critical of Inspector Lionel Cramer, the longtime head of homicide is temporarily relieved of his badge. But it seems Cramer was not just a scapegoat: He was seen dining in Little Italy with mob kingpin Ralph Mars.
All of which amounts to little more than conversational fodder for PI Nero Wolfe and his assistant Archie Goodwin. But if Cramer’s provisional replacement, Capt. George Rowcliff, becomes permanent, Wolfe’s future dealings with the force will be much compromised. Loath to depart from his routine, Wolfe makes the unusual decision to take on a case without an actual client.
His investigation quickly points toward Pierce’s organization, Good Government Group, where high-minded idealism is often trampled under the competing ambitions of the staff--several of whom would clearly have benefited from Pierce’s demise. Despite the burgeoning list of suspects, Wolfe hasn’t ruled out the involvement of the underworld and its connection to Cramer. But in order to untangle an abundance of motives and end the inspector’s forced furlough, Wolfe may have to venture out of his comfort zone--and the premises of his brownstone.
Continuing his beloved series--which also includes
Archie Meets Nero Wolfe,
Murder in the Ball Park,
Archie in the Crosshairs, and
Murder, Stage Left--Nero Award–winning author Robert Goldsborough “demonstrates an impressive ability to emulate Rex Stout’s narrative voice” (
Publishers Weekly, starred review).
The Battered Badge
is the 60th book in the Nero Wolfe Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.Trade ReviewPraise for Robert Goldsborough’s Nero Wolfe Mysteries“A virtually perfect homage to the Rex Stout originals, from the orchids to the beer to the gourmet food and, best of all, to Archie’s bemused, self-deprecating narration. Comfort food for fans of classic mysteries.” -
Booklist on
Murder, Stage Left “A loving, knowledgeable, mightily pleasing recreation.” -
Kirkus Reviews on
Murder in E Minor “Wolfe in all his glorious splendor . . . plays strictly by the rules that Stout established.” -
Chicago Tribune “It is fun once again to enter the brownstone on West 35th Street. . . . [Wolfe] is as insufferably omniscient as ever.” -
The New York Times on
Murder in E Minor
